Tanager

Family of birds From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tanager

The tanagers (singular /ˈtænəər/) comprise the bird family Thraupidae, in the order Passeriformes. The family has a Neotropical distribution and is the second-largest family of birds. It represents about 4% of all avian species and 12% of the Neotropical birds.[1]

Quick Facts Tanagers, Scientific classification ...
Tanagers
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Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Superfamily: Emberizoidea
Family: Thraupidae
Cabanis, 1847
Type genus
Thraupis
Boie, F., 1826
Genera

Many: see text

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Traditionally, the family contained around 240 species of mostly brightly colored fruit-eating birds.[2] As more of these birds were studied using modern molecular techniques, it became apparent that the traditional families were not monophyletic. Euphonia and Chlorophonia, which were once considered part of the tanager family, are now treated as members of the Fringillidae, in their own subfamily (Euphoniinae). Likewise, the genera Piranga (which includes the scarlet tanager, summer tanager, and western tanager), Chlorothraupis, and Habia appear to be members of the family Cardinalidae,[3] and have been reassigned to that family by the American Ornithological Society.[4]

Description

Tanagers are small to medium-sized birds. The shortest-bodied species, the white-eared conebill, is 9 cm (4 in) long and weighs 6 g (0.2 oz), barely smaller than the short-billed honeycreeper. The longest, the magpie tanager is 28 cm (11 in) and weighs 76 g (2.7 oz). The heaviest is the white-capped tanager, which weighs 114 g (4.02 oz) and measures about 24 cm (9.4 in). Both sexes are usually the same size and weight.

Tanagers are often brightly colored, but some species are black and white. Males are typically more brightly colored than females and juveniles. Most tanagers have short, rounded wings. The shape of the bill seems to be linked to the species' foraging habits.

Distribution

Tanagers are restricted to the Western Hemisphere and mainly to the tropics. About 60% of tanagers live in South America, and 30% of these species live in the Andes. Most species are endemic to a relatively small area.

Behavior

Summarize
Perspective

Most tanagers live in pairs or in small groups of three to five individuals. These groups may consist simply of parents and their offspring. These birds may also be seen in single-species or mixed flocks. Many tanagers are thought to have dull songs, though some are elaborate.[citation needed]

Diet

Tanagers are omnivorous, and their diets vary by genus. They have been seen eating fruits, seeds, nectar, flower parts, and insects. Many pick insects off branches or from holes in the wood. Other species look for insects on the undersides of leaves. Yet others wait on branches until they see a flying insect and catch it in the air. Many of these particular species inhabit the same areas, but these specializations alleviate competition.

Breeding

The breeding season is March through June in temperate areas and in September through October in South America. Some species are territorial, while others build their nests closer together. Little information is available on tanager breeding behavior. Males show off their brightest feathers to potential mates and rival males. Some species' courtship rituals involve bowing and tail lifting.

Most tanagers build cup nests on branches in trees. Some nests are almost globular. Entrances are usually built on the side of the nest. The nests can be shallow or deep. The species of the tree in which they choose to build their nests and the nests' positions vary among genera. Most species nest in an area hidden by very dense vegetation. No information is yet known regarding the nests of some species.

The clutch size is three to five eggs. The female incubates the eggs and builds the nest, but the male may feed the female while she incubates. Both sexes feed the young. Five species have helpers assist in feeding the young. These helpers are thought to be the previous year's nestlings.

Taxonomy

Summarize
Perspective

The family Thraupidae was introduced (as the subfamily Thraupinae) in 1847 by German ornithologist Jean Cabanis. The type genus is Thraupis.[5][6]

The family Thraupidae is a member of an assemblage of over 800 birds known as the New World, nine-primaried oscines. The traditional pre-molecular classification was largely based on the different feeding specializations. Nectar-feeders were placed in Coerebidae (honeycreepers), large-billed seed-eaters in Cardinalidae (cardinals and grosbeaks), smaller-billed seed-eaters in Emberizidae (New World finches and sparrows), ground-foraging insect-eaters in Icteridae (blackbirds) and fruit-eaters in Thraupidae.[1] This classification was known to be problematic as analyses using other morphological characteristics often produced conflicting phylogenies.[7] Beginning in the last decade of the 20th century, a series of molecular phylogenetic studies led to a complete reorganization of the traditional families. Thraupidae now includes large-billed seed eaters, thin-billed nectar feeders, and foliage gleaners as well as fruit-eaters.[1]

One consequence of redefining the family boundaries is that for many species their common names are no longer congruent with the families in which they are placed. As of July 2020 there are 39 species with "tanager" in the common name that are not placed in Thraupidae. These include the widely distributed scarlet tanager and western tanager, which are both now placed in Cardinalidae. There are also 106 species within Thraupidae that have "finch" in their common name.[8]

A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 revealed that many of the traditional genera were not monophyletic.[1] In the resulting reorganization six new genera were introduced, eleven genera were resurrected, and seven genera were abandoned.[9][8]

As of July 2023 the family contains 386 species which are divided into 15 subfamilies and 105 genera.[1][8] For a complete list, see the article List of tanager species.

List of genera

Catamblyrhynchinae

The plushcap has no close relatives and is now placed in its own subfamily. It was previously placed either in the subfamily Catamblyrhynchinae within the Emberizidae or in its own family Catamblyrhynchidae.[1]

More information Image, Genus ...
ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbCatamblyrhynchus Lafresnaye, 1842
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Charitospizinae

The coal-crested finch is endemic to the grasslands of Brazil and has no close relatives. It is unusual in that both sexes have a crest. It was formerly placed in Emberizidae.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbCharitospiza Oberholser, 1905
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Orchesticinae

Two species with large thick bills. Parkerthraustes was formerly placed in Cardinalidae.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbOrchesticus Cabanis, 1851
ThumbParkerthraustes Remsen, 1997
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Nemosiinae

Brightly colored, sexually dichromatic birds. Most form single-species flocks.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbNemosia Vieillot, 1816
ThumbCyanicterus Bonaparte, 1850
ThumbSericossypha Lesson, 1844
Thumb Compsothraupis Richmond, 1915
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Emberizoidinae

Grassland dwelling birds that were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbCoryphaspiza G.R. Gray, 1840
ThumbEmbernagra Lesson, 1831
ThumbEmberizoides Temminck, 1822
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Porphyrospizinae

Yellow billed birds. The blue finch (Rhopospina caerulescens) was formerly placed in Cardinalidae; the other species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbIncaspiza Ridgway, 1898
ThumbRhopospina Cabanis, 1851
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Hemithraupinae

These species are sexually dichromatic and many have yellow and black plumage. Except for Heterospingus, they have slender bills.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbChlorophanes Reichenbach, 1853
ThumbIridophanes Ridgway, 1901
ThumbChrysothlypis Berlepsch, 1912
ThumbHeterospingus Ridgway, 1898
ThumbHemithraupis Cabanis, 1850
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Dacninae

Sexually dichromatic species—males have blue plumage and females are green.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbTersina Vieillot, 1819
ThumbCyanerpes Oberholser, 1899
ThumbDacnis Cuvier, 1816
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Saltatorinae

Mainly arboreal with long tails and thick bills. Formerly placed in Cardinalidae.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbSaltatricula Burmeister, 1861
ThumbSaltator Vieillot, 1816
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Coerebinae

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Diversity of Darwin's finches

This subfamily includes Darwin's finches that are endemic to the Galápagos Islands and Cocos Island. Most of these species were formerly placed in Emberizidae; the exceptions are the bananaquit that was placed in Parulidae and the orangequit that was placed in Thraupidae. These species build domed or covered nests with side entrances. They have evolved a variety of foraging techniques, including nectar-feeding (Coereba, Euneornis), seed-eating (Geospiza, Loxigilla, Tiaris), and insect gleaning (Certhidea).[1]

More information Image, Genus ...
ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbCoereba Vieillot, 1809
ThumbTiaris Swainson, 1827
ThumbEuneornis Fitzinger, 1856
ThumbMelopyrrha Bonaparte, 1853
ThumbLoxipasser Bryant, 1866
ThumbPhonipara Bonaparte, 1850
ThumbLoxigilla Lesson, 1831
ThumbMelanospiza Ridgway, 1897
ThumbAsemospiza Burns, Unitt, & Mason, 2016
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Darwin's finches:

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbCerthidea Gould, 1837
ThumbPlatyspiza Ridgway, 1897
ThumbPinaroloxias Sharpe, 1885
ThumbCamarhynchus Gould, 1837
ThumbGeospiza Gould, 1837
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Tachyphoninae

Most of these are lowland species. Many have ornamental features such as crests, and many have sexually dichromatic plumage.[1]

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbVolatinia Reichenbach, 1850
ThumbConothraupis Sclater, PL, 1880
ThumbCreurgops Sclater, PL, 1858
ThumbEucometis Sclater, PL, 1856
ThumbTrichothraupis Cabanis, 1851
ThumbHeliothraupis Lane et al., 2021
ThumbLoriotus Jarocki, 1821
ThumbCoryphospingus Cabanis, 1851
ThumbTachyphonus Vieillot, 1816
ThumbRhodospingus Sharpe, 1888
ThumbLanio Vieillot, 1816
ThumbRamphocelus Desmarest, 1805
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Sporophilinae

These species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbSporophila Cabanis, 1844
Seedeaters and seed finches (includes species previously assigned to Dolospingus and Oryzoborus) 41 species:
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Poospizinae

Some of these species were formerly placed in Emberizidae.

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ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbPiezorina Lafresnaye, 1843
ThumbXenospingus Cabanis, 1867
ThumbCnemoscopus Bangs & Penard, 1919
ThumbPseudospingus Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1896
ThumbPoospiza Cabanis, 1847
ThumbKleinothraupis Burns, Unitt, & Mason, 2016
ThumbSphenopsis Sclater, 1862
ThumbThlypopsis Cabanis, 1851
ThumbCastanozoster Burns, Unitt, & Mason, 2016
ThumbDonacospiza Cabanis, 1851
ThumbCypsnagra Lesson, R, 1831
ThumbPoospizopsis Berlepsch, 1893
ThumbUrothraupis Taczanowski & Berlepsch, 1885
ThumbNephelornis Lowery & Tallman, 1976
ThumbMicrospingus Taczanowski, 1874
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Diglossinae

This is a morphologically diverse group that includes seed-eaters (Nesospiza, Sicalis, Catamenia, Haplospiza), arthropod feeders (Conirostrum), a bamboo specialist (Acanthidops), an aphid feeder (Xenodacnis), and boulder field specialists (Idiopsar). Many species live at high altitudes. Conirostrum was previously placed in Parulidae, Diglossa was placed in Thraupidae, and the remaining genera were placed in Emberizidae.[1]

More information Image, Genus ...
ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbConirostrum d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1838
ThumbSicalis F. Boie, 1828
13 species
ThumbPhrygilus Cabanis, 1844
ThumbNesospiza Cabanis, 1873
ThumbRowettia Lowe, 1923
ThumbMelanodera Bonaparte, 1850
ThumbGeospizopsis Bonaparte, 1856
ThumbHaplospiza Cabanis, 1851
ThumbAcanthidops Ridgway, 1882
ThumbXenodacnis Cabanis, 1873
ThumbIdiopsar Cassin, 1867
ThumbCatamenia Bonaparte, 1850
ThumbDiglossa Wagler, 1832
18 species
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Thraupinae

Typical tanagers.

More information Image, Genus ...
ImageGenusSpecies
ThumbCalochaetes Sclater, PL, 1879
ThumbIridosornis Lesson, 1844
ThumbRauenia Wolters, 1980
ThumbPipraeidea Swainson, 1827
ThumbPseudosaltator K.J. Burns, Unitt & N.A. Mason, 2016
ThumbDubusia Bonaparte, 1850
ThumbButhraupis Cabanis, 1851
ThumbSporathraupis Ridgway, 1898
ThumbTephrophilus R. T. Moore, 1934
ThumbChlorornis Reichenbach, 1850
ThumbCnemathraupis Penard, 1919
ThumbAnisognathus Reichenbach, 1850
ThumbChlorochrysa Bonaparte, 1851
ThumbWetmorethraupis Lowery & O'Neill, 1964
ThumbBangsia Penard, 1919
ThumbLophospingus Cabanis, 1878
ThumbNeothraupis Hellmayr, 1936
ThumbDiuca Reichenbach, 1850
ThumbGubernatrix Lesson, 1837
ThumbStephanophorus Strickland, 1841
ThumbCissopis Vieillot, 1816
ThumbSchistochlamys Reichenbach, 1850
ThumbParoaria Bonaparte, 1832
ThumbIxothraupis Bonaparte, 1851
ThumbChalcothraupis Bonaparte, 1851
ThumbPoecilostreptus Burns, KJ, Unitt, & Mason, NA, 2016
ThumbThraupis F. Boie, 1826
ThumbStilpnia Burns, KJ, Unitt, & Mason, NA, 2016
14 species
ThumbTangara Brisson, 1760
28 species
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Genera formerly placed in Thraupidae

Passerellidae – New World sparrows[10]

Cardinalidae – cardinals[11][7]

Fringillidae – subfamily Euphoniinae

Phaenicophilidae – Hispaniolan tanagers[10][12]

Mitrospingidae – Mitrospingid tanagers[10]

Nesospingidae

Spindalidae

Calyptophilidae

Rhodinocichlidae

References

Further reading

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